The Menzingers
“Chamberlain Waits”
(Red Scare)

(****/5)

The Menzingers, with their anthemic brand of punk rock, is a band that will always face some form of criticism in the same way that Against Me and Alkaline Trio have continued to experience a non-stop backlash from their latter-era studio albums. The immediacy that was present on The Menzingers debut album, “A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology” is still there, but the songs on “Chamberlain Waits” are melodic and well thought out.

“Time Tables,” for example, is a song that sounds out of place when compared to past Menzingers tunes, but it fits nicely on this album and segues in the Lucero-esque “Male Call.”

All in all, “Chamberlain Waits” is a very solid sophomore effort, thanks in part to their EP, “Hold On, Dodge,” which was a great way to transition from the bombastic record that was “Technology” to the polished sheen that “Chamberlain” has on its surface.

Listen to “I Was Born,” “Home Outgrown” and “Tasker-Morris Station” here

— Ryan Pangilinan